À C T. II. SCENE THE FIRST. Outside of the Governor's castle, in Barcelona. NIGHT, Enter MARCHIONESS, JULIO and Rosa. ROSA. Lord, Ma'am, what's the use of her enquiry? when we've ascertained the whole story? I am sure if there were any hope of fir ding the Marquis alive, I'd be the first to scaie w. !ls and claw down battlements-but as it is, you know very well that castle is sure to be his grave. MARCHIONESS. Then let me enter it; for if Alphonso be no more, life has no charms for Leonora. But you-let me not involve my faithful Rosa-no-farewell! ROSA, Involve me, nay ma'am,-I am sometimes a coward, to be sure, but then 'tis when I've been doing what's wrong; for in a good cause, I'm Hercules, Hercules, Alexander, and Don Quixote, all in one; and when I think of my poor tattling lover, and of his noble conduct to the Marquis-Oh, ma'am, let me go with you, MARCHIONESS. No; be the danger mine alone, nor think that hope has quite forsaken me: Julio, shall plead his father's cause, and, yon bright Power that watches over infant innocence, shall succour and support him! Come, child; be thou the champion of Alphonso. Exit with Julio. ROSA. Oh, that he may! and of poor Blabbo too; for often as we tiff and quarrel, I believe we only did it for the pleasure of making it up again. Hey! who comes here? It is-no-yes! Oh, he's safe! he's safe! Mum; I'll take him by surprise. Retires up the Stage. Enter in great haste. BLABBO, and PEDRO. BLABBO. My dear fellow! how; how shall I repay you? PEDRO. I've told you: if your escape's discovered keep my name a secret. BLABBO. Secret! do you think I'd betray such a dear guardian angel? But it don't signify talking I will make some return: ask me for any thing except my Dog; ask for my purse, my-I'll tell you what-there's a charming girl at Madridone Rosa-de Villarea.-I'll give you her. ROSA. (Advancing.) You will, Sir-will you? BLABBO. Rosa!-Heav'ns !-How !-Oh, ho,-I thought so you couldn't help following me! ROSA. No, Sir; as it happens I follow'd my Mistress, and not one who would dispose of me, in preference to his Dog.-but pray, Sir, how came you both unchained! Hold--if you impart the secret it will cost my life! BLABBO. And, if I don't impart it, it will cost mine; for I'm actually choaking. Rosa, this generouss Spaniard was my Goaler; and leaving the prison to to purchase provisions-Carlo accidentally follow'd him,-from what motive I know not, but it was a lucky one for me and Pedro-for he, on his return, being attack'd by two of Arabbo's banditti, the Dog lamed one and throttled the other, and in return, my freedom was secured. Oh! blessings on his beautiful face!-If I thought, Rosa, it would n't break your heart with jealousy, I'd hug and kiss him into atoms. ROSA. Oh-pray indulge yourself, Sir-I neither trouble my head about four or two legged animals. BLABBO. Don't you?-then, to the four legged animal I'm sure you are ungrateful-For once, when you were bathing-didn't he kindly take it into his head you were drowning, and pull you out among a hundred admiring spectators? and another time, when he was blam'd and beat for breaking one of the Marquis's fine looking-glasses, did he ever tell that it was the work of our romping and kissing, Rosa? ROSA. Silence, Sir;-and till you are sober, I BLABBO. Sober-Oh, fie!—I never drink,—and I'll give you my reasons, as I learn't them from an English prisoner. Song SONG BLABBO. WITH the pleasures of drinking the table will ring, And of Bacchus's bowl with rapture we sing ; down, But I find in the end, that it ruins my own! And then you may cry, So jolly old Bacchus good bye. 'Tis said too with wine, that good stories a bound, And if they are witty, the Devil can't hear it ; E "Silence ! |